Georgians warned about unlicensed door-to-door pest control sales
A Miami-Dade County mosquito control inspector, uses a Golden Eagle blower to spray pesticide to kill mosquitos in the Miami Beach neighborhood. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Agriculture officials are warning Georgia of a rise in people going door-to-door offering unlicensed pest control services.
Authorities say they've seen more than 150 violations this year alone.
What we know:
Under state law, anyone selling or performing pest control services must have a valid Certified Operator’s License or Registered Employee License issued by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
That certification ensures that the pest fighters are properly trained to use potentially harmful pesticides.
Violators of these regulations can result in fines of up to $10,000.
Officials say customers have the right to request proof of a pest control license at any time.
What they're saying:
"Hiring a licensed pest control company isn’t just a matter of legality—it’s a matter of safety," said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. "Unlicensed operators likely do not have the proper training or oversight to safely handle chemicals or pests, and we encourage all Georgians to ask for proof of licensure from any individual soliciting pest control services door-to-door."
What you can do:
If you have experience with a salesman who won't provide proof that he or she is licensed, officials ask you to report the incident on the Department of Agriculture's website.
You can learn more about the regulations concerning pest control here.
The Source: Information for this article came from a release by the Georgia Department of Agriculture.